RANKIN COUNTY: The owners of Finnegan Fire Safety Equipment have been sentenced after pleading guilty in a multi-county investigation into the sale and installation of faulty fire suppression systems in commercial kitchens across Mississippi, according to the Mississippi Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Daniel and Sherri Finnegan entered guilty pleas Tuesday in Rankin County. Daniel Finnegan was sentenced to 20 years, with seven years to serve. Sherri Finnegan was sentenced to five years, with four years suspended and one year to serve.
Authorities said the couple was arrested Aug. 21, 2024, after an investigation revealed they allegedly sold and installed used and defective fire suppression systems that were not properly tested before being placed into service. Officials said the systems did not work, putting customers at risk in the event of a fire.
Investigators said the couple sold systems to a number of businesses, including daycares and restaurants, and appear to have targeted minority-owned businesses and owners who had language barriers.
The plea agreements encompass charges filed in both Rankin and Madison counties. Across the two counties, 12 charges were filed against Daniel Finnegan and 12 against Sherri Finnegan stemming from six separate cases.
Originally, both were charged with 41 counts each of false pretense, a felony under Mississippi law, and 37 counts each of violations of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, which are misdemeanors.
Despite the guilty pleas in Rankin and Madison counties, officials said the couple still faces an additional 31 Fire Prevention Code violations and 37 false pretense charges that remain pending. The investigation involves 13 counties, with active charges remaining in 11 counties.
According to the fire marshal’s office, confirmed victims paid more than $343,000 directly to the couple. Officials said that figure does not reflect the total financial impact, as some documentation could not be obtained and many victims paid additional costs to correct deficient installations and bring their fire protection systems into compliance.
Restitution ordered for Daniel Finnegan totals $67,853.95, while restitution ordered for Sherri Finnegan totals $20,000.
The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office said it will continue monitoring the remaining cases in other counties and provide updates as more information becomes available.
